January Issue-PINK Magazine
“You know I hate these damn New Year’s Resolutions, but I just could not pass up sharing just these few.” The Uphill Skater
I know we are all sick of being better people, feeling more confident, losing weight, and writing thank you notes so I will not bore you with any of that stuff. We will also not promise to call mom more often, adopt a rescue pet, or eat kale. Been there-Done that got the T-Shirt. Yes, I promise not to say that any more either. I know it is corny and old.
Okay, so if we are NOT going to do any of those things, what are we going to do? Well you may ask. I only have three things to suggest this year and please listen up because each one is very important and at some point in 2017 may be more important than you can imagine.
First, if you don’t have a first aid book in your house and or car-Get One Now. I have “Family First Aid.” I bought it quite a while ago at Outside Hilton Head and it is one of those “Klutz” books. The author is listed as “The Nursing Staff of the Lucille Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford” and it is all inclusive. It covers everything from Poison Oak and Poison Ivy to Impetigo and anything else in between that you absolutely never want to happen in your house.
The book is indexed for easy use and is made of hard cardboard complete with illustrations. It is about the size of a business envelope. It is not just for children either. Things covered in this book can and do happen to everyone at one time or another. You can buy it on line or at many shops. Like I said, the first thing in this wonderful handbook is allergy attack and the final listings are Urinary Tract Infection, Vomiting, and Warts. You can’t get more complete than that. If you are not interested in finding this particular that’s all right. But do go out and find something. You will be glad you did-believe me.
The next bit of advice I will pass on is something we all know we should do but just don’t get around to it somehow. Do you have a living will? You don’t have to go to a lawyer or even to a web site you know. That is obviously the best way to make your wishes known, but if you just can’t seem to do that, reach out to the person you trust the most in the world and ask them to sit down with you for fifteen minutes and talk about how you wish to proceed through your final time. This is of such importance I can’t emphasize it enough. Sit down and write our very clearly so there can be no mistake exactly what you want and don’t want for your life. I will repeat the word YOUR because it is yours really and as much s you have family, friends, and loved ones, some decisions are not up to them, they are up to you. Be sure your document is available and in place. Please do this.
The last of my three “to do” things is just for you and your mental health and brain. Very simply, I will tell you to just learn something new. That is all. Learn something new. This adult coloring craze is something new. Try that. Learn to knit or crochet. Join a good book club and offer to lead a discussion if you have not done that. Volunteer at someplace you think you might find interesting. Volunteering at a thrift shop is wonderful and not only fun but personally rewarding. Volunteer to tutor, volunteer to teach a child something you know how to do. Learn a new skill on your computer. After all of these wonderful suggestions I must confess that the new thing I have learned to do is play canasta. Yes, after years of bridge, I have actually decided to learn and play canasta. I am quite enjoying it and meeting some very interesting people. Who knew???
Anyway, I mention each of these things for a reason. A dear friend of mine had a guest fall and cut herself very badly. She knew what to do. Getting out the trusty first aid book she tied a rag tourniquet, pressed a clean cloth to the gash, and called 911. We are watching my grandson pretty regularly lately and I have my book at the ready I can tell you.
As to the living will, I think we all know someone who has had their wishes violated and I think that is a crime and a shame. Enough said-just do it! Finally, learning something new or doing something different can be a brain saver and a life changer. I suggest from my own personal experience that you might have a look at what you are putting in your lovely little mouth.
Anyway, Happy New Year to all and I hope and pray that 2017 is a red letter highlight year for us all. Love Judith